Dataset Information

Positive association between epiphytes and competitiveness of the brown algal genus Lobophora against corals.

ABSTRACT: Observations of coral-algal competition can provide valuable information about the state of coral reef ecosystems. Here, we report contact rates and apparent competition states for six shallow lagoonal reefs in Fiji. A total of 81.4% of examined coral perimeters were found to be in contact with algae, with turf algae (54.7%) and macroalgae of the genus Lobophora (16.8%) representing the most frequently observed contacts. Turf algae competitiveness was low, with 21.8% of coral-turf contacts being won by the algae (i.e. overgrowth or bleaching of coral tissue). In contrast, Lobophora competitiveness against corals was high, with 62.5% of contacts being won by the alga. The presence of epiphytic algae on Lobophora was associated with significantly greater algal competitiveness against corals, with 75.8% and 21.1% of interactions recorded as algal wins in the presence and absence of epiphytes, respectively. Sedimentation rate, herbivorous fish biomass, and coral colony size did not have a significant effect on Lobophora-coral interactions. This research indicates a novel and important role of epiphytes in driving the outcome of coral-algal contacts.

SUBMITTER: Eich A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6369833 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Positive association between epiphytes and competitiveness of the brown algal genus <i>Lobophora</i> against corals.

Eich Andreas A Ford Amanda K AK Nugues Maggy M MM McAndrews Ryan S RS Wild Christian C Ferse Sebastian C A SCA

PeerJ 20190208

Observations of coral-algal competition can provide valuable information about the state of coral reef ecosystems. Here, we report contact rates and apparent competition states for six shallow lagoonal reefs in Fiji. A total of 81.4% of examined coral perimeters were found to be in contact with algae, with turf algae (54.7%) and macroalgae of the genus <i>Lobophora</i> (16.8%) representing the most frequently observed contacts. Turf algae competitiveness was low, with 21.8% of coral-turf contact ...[more]

PMID: 30775176

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Project description:Pervasive environmental stressors on coral reefs are attributed with shifting the competitive balance in favor of alternative dominants, such as macroalgae. Previous studies have demonstrated that macroalgae compete with corals via a number of mechanisms, including the production of potent primary and secondary metabolites that can influence coral-associated microbial communities. The present study investigates the effects of the Pacific brown macroalga Lobophora sp. (due to the shifting nature of the Lobophora species complex, it will be referred to here as Lobophora sp.) on coral bacterial isolates, coral larvae, and the microbiome associated with the coral Porites cylindrica. Crude aqueous and organic macroalgal extracts were found to inhibit the growth of coral-associated bacteria. Extracts and fractions were also shown to inhibit coral larval settlement and cause mortality at concentrations lower (<0.3 mg · ml-1) than calculated natural concentrations (4.4 mg · ml-1). Microbial communities associated with coral tissues exposed to aqueous (e.g., hydrophilic) crude extracts demonstrated a significant shift to Vibrio dominance and a loss of sequences related to the putative coral bacterial symbiont, Endozoicomonas sp., based on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. This study contributes to growing evidence that macroalgal allelochemicals, dissolved organic material, and native macroalgal microbial assemblages all play a role in shifting the microbial equilibrium of the coral holobiont away from a beneficial state, contributing to a decline in coral fitness and a shift in ecosystem structure. Diverse microbial communities associate with coral tissues and mucus, providing important protective and nutritional services, but once disturbed, the microbial equilibrium may shift from a beneficial state to one that is detrimental or pathogenic. Macroalgae (e.g., seaweeds) can physically and chemically interact with corals, causing abrasion, bleaching, and overall stress. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that macroalgae play a critical role in shifting the coral holobiont equilibrium, which may promote the invasion of opportunistic pathogens and cause coral mortality, facilitating additional macroalgal growth and invasion in the reef. Thus, macroalgae not only contribute to a decline in coral fitness but also influence coral reef ecosystem structure.

Dataset Information

Positive association between epiphytes and competitiveness of the brown algal genus Lobophora against corals.

Publications

Positive association between epiphytes and competitiveness of the brown algal genus <i>Lobophora</i> against corals.

Similar Datasets

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